Pharmaceutical Aids: Trace Elements Quiz

Pharmaceutical Aids and Necessities: Essential and Non-Essential Trace Elements

• Living organisms contain at least 30 elements.
• Essential trace elements are needed for normal bodily function. They are not produced by the body and act as cofactors.
  • Micro essential elements are required in very small amounts (micrograms or nanograms). Examples include: Cu, Zn, Co, Cd, Mn, I, and F.
  • Macro essential elements are needed in larger amounts (greater than one milligram). Examples include: C, H, O, N, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, P, S, and Cl.
• Non-essential trace elements have unclear functions and some are toxic. Examples include: B, Si, As, Ni, Al, Pb, V, Sn, and Bo.

Zinc (Zn2+)

• Widely distributed in vegetables and animal products.
• Daily human requirement is 0.3 mg/kg.
• Crucial for various enzymes such as DNA polymerase, uricase, carbonic anhydrase, liver alcohol dehydrogenase, and others.
• Important for insulin function and blood sugar regulation. Zinc levels lower during diabetes.
• Critical for growth, immune function, collagen synthesis, wound healing, bone metabolism, reproduction, taste, smell, and vision.

Cobalt (Co2+)

• Essential for vitamin B12 production.
• Deficiency can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, resulting in nutritional anemia.
• Excess cobalt can result in polycythemia (overproduction of red blood cells).

Copper (Cu2+)

• Copper ions readily form complexes in water at a pH of 6.5 to 10.
• Integral component of enzymes like cytochromes, cytochrome oxidase, catalase, and uricase.
• Enzyme proteins can contain 550 µg copper per gram of protein.
• Potentially involved in bone formation and myelin sheath maintenance.

Chloride (Cl-)

• A harmless amount of chloride in water is 250 to 300 ppm.
• Major source is common salt.
• Important for various bodily functions.
• Deficiency is rare in healthy individuals. Diarrhea, vomiting, or heavy sweating can decrease chloride levels.

Sodium (Na+) and Potassium (K+)

• Essential for maintaining hydration and osmotic pressure.
• Crucial for acid-base balance.
• Sodium, potassium, and chloride ions play a significant role in transporting carbon dioxide in the body.
• Crucial for proper nerve and muscle function.

Iron (Fe2+)

• Important transition metal, vital for various functions.
• Oxygen transport in blood (mammals, birds, and fish).
• Oxygen storage in muscle tissue.
• Electron transfer in plants and bacteria (cytochromes and ferredoxins) in biological processes.
• About 70% of iron in the body is found in hemoglobin.
• The human body contains approximately 4 grams of iron
• Dietary sources include leafy greens, whole grains, beans, pulses, liver, spleen, and mollusks.

Magnesium (Mg2+)

• Crucial for various biochemical reactions.
• Enzyme cofactor for glucose and fat metabolism. Essential for protein and cholesterol production.
• Plays a role in protecting DNA.

Calcium (Ca2+)

• Primarily found in bones and teeth.
• Necessary for blood clotting.
• Essential for muscle contraction.
• Crucial for nitrogen metabolism in plants. A deficiency can affect chloroplast function.

Test your knowledge on essential and non-essential trace elements essential for human health. This quiz covers the roles of micro and macro elements, their sources, and their functions in the body. Discover the significance of zinc and its daily requirements.